UPDATE Aug. 6, 8:35 a.m.: The Pumpkin fire has burned approximately 176 acres and is 40 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
SPANISH FORK, Utah – U.S. Forest Service crews and Utah County firefighters are battling a brush fire near Highway 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon that started Friday afternoon.
A Forest Service spokesperson said the wildfire, now called “Pumpkin Fire,” was caused by lightning and has burned 176 acres near the Tie Fork rest stop along the highway. The fire is 30 percent contained Saturday evening.
Two air tankers, two water-dropping helicopters and eight smoke jumpers were dispatched to fight the blaze.
Forest Service spokesperson Loyal Clark said the fire is difficult to fight from the ground due to the steep and remote terrain. Another air tanker was ordered due to those difficulties.
The Forest Service says they ended aerial water drops after sunset and will resume Saturday morning. Spokesperson Kim Osborne says four Hot Shot crews will also arrive in the morning to help contain the blaze.
No injuries have been reported.
